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S. K. WARREN.

WIRE STRETGHBR.

(Mode1.)

Patented Mar. 20; 1888.

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UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFicE,

SETH K. \VARREN, OF LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSIN.

WlRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 379,669, dated March 20, 1888. Application filed July 1!), 1887. Serial No. 244,771. Citadel.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SETH K. WARREN, of Lake Geneva, in the county of Walworth and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in XVire-Stretchers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in wire-stretchers; and it consists in the combi nation of a headed lever, which is provided with a slot for the wire to catch in, a handlever pivoted thereto for holding the wire in the slot, and a grapple, which is pivoted to the operatinglever for catching around the post and holding the slack wire,as will be more fully described hereinafter.

The object of my invention is to produce a device for stretching and tightening the wires of a fence which is cheap, simple, and readily operated, and which will hold the wire as fast as it is taken up.

The accompanying drawing represents in perspective a'device embodying my invention.

A represents the operating-lever, which is provided with a serrated head, 13, to prevent it from slipping on the post while stretching or tightening the wires. The outer edge of this head, where it bears against the post, is made round, as shown, so as to turn freely on the post, and one of the ends of the head is provided with a slot, 0, through which the wire which is being tightened or stretched is passed. In order to hold this wire while it is being stretched, a handlever, D, is pivoted to the operating-lever A, which hand-lever has its shorter end bent or formed so as to catch against the outer side of the wire and force it tightly into the notch, so that it cannot slip. \Vhen this shorter end of the hand-lever D is made to clamp the wire, the longer end is drawn toward the handle of the operating-lever, and the shorter end then movesinside of the curved and slotted portion of the head, so as to force the wire into the end of the tapering slot. While the wire is being stretched the rounded and serrated head Bis resting against the side of the fence-post up to which the wire is beposite side of the post, as shown.

ing drawn, and then by pressing backward upon the lever, so as to cause it to turn as upon a pivot, the wire will be stretched in direct proportion to the amount of power exerted upon the lever. The end of the lever A isbent into a hook, X, so that the lever can be used in splice wire.

In the side of the lever A is made a notch, O, in which a wire is made to catch, and then the handle of the hand-lever acts as a cutter, and wires can be cut at will. The hand-lever is thus made to perform two functions. In the opposite end of the head from the slot is pivoted a grapple, G, which is intended to catch around the side of the fence-post for the purpose of supporting the lever A upon the post, and thus enabling the operator to support the stretcher in position upon the post for holding the wire as fast as it is taken up by the lever A. The end of the longer portion of this grapple is hooked, as shown,while the end of the shorter part is made perfectly straight, and projects but a short distance beyond that end of the head in which the grapple is pivoted. At the same time that the head B is applied to the side of the post the grapple G is made to catch around upon the op- This grapple does not catch into the post, so as to support the lever A in position until a strain is brought to bear upon the grapple for this purpose. The grapple remains stationary after its hooked end engages with the post, and then as the lever A is swung around or pressed backward its rear edge strikes against this straight end of the grapple and forces the grapple to take a firmer and better hold upon the post, and then the strain of the wire in the notch of the lever A holds the machine in position. The grapple serves by catching in the post to support the machine in place while in use.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination of the operating-lever provided with a rounded head, which has a slot for receiving the wire made in one end, and the hand-lever, which is pivoted upon the operatingdever, and which is made to force the wire into the end of the slot, substantially as shown.

2. The combination of the operating-lever In testimony whereof I affix my signature in provided with a rounded head and a slot to represence of witnesses.

ceive the wire, a hand-lever which is pivoted SETH K. WARREN. upon the handle of the operating lever and Witnesses: 5 which holds the wire in the slot and the grap- CHAS. S. FRENCH,

ple, which is pivoted t0the1ever,substantial]y O. G. KESTOL,

as described. A M. E. LEE. 

